Inter Milan are ramping up their pursuit of Porto striker Mehdi Taremi, whether for January or next summer on a free transfer.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
There is little doubt that Taremi is a player on Inter’s radar.
The Nerazzurri had by all accounts considered a swoop for the Iranian last summer when they were looking for an alternative to Romelu Lukaku.
There had been contacts between Inter and Porto, as well as with Taremi’s representatives.
However, in the end Inter did not make a move to sign Taremi.
Instead, the Nerazzurri sealed a deal to sign Marko Arnautovic from Bologna.
Meanwhile, AC Milan were also very keen to sign Taremi from Porto.
By all accounts, the Rossoneri were in advanced talks with the Iranian’s representatives and with Porto until the very end of the summer window.
However, Taremi remained at Porto for the start of the current season.
Inter Ramping Up Mehdi Taremi Pursuit
Inter have not dropped their interest in signing Taremi, however.
Far from it, the Nerazzurri are still actively considering whether a move for the 31-year-old will be possible in the coming months.
One possibility would be for Inter to move for Taremi during the January transfer window.
A lot of this would depend on the asking price.
It is possible that Porto will offer a discount from the €20 million that they wanted to sell the Iranian to Iran during the summer. After all, January will be the Portuguese club’s final chance to cash in.
However, Porto may simply dig in their heels and prefer to keep Taremi until next summer.
And whether the 31-year-old puts pressure on his club to allow a sale could also be a factor.
Moreover, there is the matter of Taremi’s wages. Inter would benefit from the Growth Decree which would allow them to save significantly on the taxes of the Iranian’s gross earnings.